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There’s a particular moment at a bar or bat mitzvah when guests walk in and stop at the sign-in board. They lean in. Someone says, “Look how grown-up she is.” For a lot of families, that board is the first thing everyone sees, and the portrait on it sets the tone for the whole celebration.
I’m Erica Land, and I’ve been creating pre-mitzvah portraits for families across Rockville, Potomac, and Bethesda for years. Here’s how a portrait session fits into your planning, and how to make sure the artwork is ready long before the big day.
These sessions happen weeks or months before the event, and the images do a lot of work:
And then, long after the party, they’re portraits of your child at twelve or thirteen, a threshold age you’ll want to remember exactly.
The most common mistake I see is booking too late. Portraits for decor have to be photographed, retouched, chosen, designed, printed, and delivered before your event — often alongside your planner’s and designer’s timelines.
My guidance: book your portrait session three to four months before the mitzvah. That leaves room for the reveal, design, printing, and a cushion if you want a second look or a last-minute addition.
We plan it together. In a planning consultation, we talk through your theme, colors, venue, and what the images need to do. If you’re working with a planner or designer, I’m happy to coordinate so everything matches.
We style it. Professional makeup is included, and we’ll plan outfits that suit the decor — often a dressier look plus something that feels more like your child.
I direct every frame. Twelve- and thirteen-year-olds are, understandably, not always thrilled to pose. Keeping it light and guiding every pose is how we get images that look confident and natural rather than stiff.
We choose and design at a reveal. You’ll see your images large at an in-person reveal in my Rockville studio and design your sign-in board, prints, and any albums right there — so you leave knowing exactly what’s coming.
My Rockville studio gives us a clean, polished look that works beautifully for sign-in boards. Many families also love an outdoor set — a park in Potomac, a garden in Bethesda, a spot that means something to your family. We can do both in one session.
“From the moment I hired her she helped put my vision into the most stunning and beautiful pictures of my twins. She helped me prepare for the photo shoot and had such creative ideas.” — Kelli L., on her twins’ B’nai Mitzvah decor
If your simcha is on the calendar, now’s the time to get the portrait session on it too. The planning consultation is complimentary.
Book a mitzvah portrait consultation or see more family portrait work.
Creating mitzvah portraits for families in Rockville, Potomac, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda, and across the DC metro.
How far ahead should we book?
Three to four months before the event, so there’s time for the reveal, design, and printing.
Can you create the sign-in board?
Yes — we design sign-in boards, invitations imagery, and large-format decor prints from your session.
Can siblings and family be included?
Absolutely. Many families add family portraits while everyone’s dressed up.
Do you coordinate with our planner?
Happily — just tell me who’s on your team and I’ll match the look.
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